Wojciech Bednarski (University of Wrocław)
This paper examines how a “solidarity of remembrance” is constructed and sustained across borders through the work of the Platform of European Memory and Conscience (PEMC), an international NGO uniting member organisations from 24 countries in Europe and beyond.
Using PEMC as an institutional case, the presentation traces evolving approaches to remembering totalitarian regimes and the shifting political climate that frames them, as reflected in key international acts, including resolutions of the European Parliament. Next, it maps PEMC’s portfolio of initiatives to identify distinct modalities through which solidarity is built. The presentation examines how these modalities influence national identity formation, extending into a broader European—indeed, pan-European—context. Finally, the presentation turns to the Pan-European Memorial for the Victims of Totalitarianism in Brussels as a culminating, integrative project. The Memorial is presented as both a symbolic and practical instrument: it consolidates narratives into a shared European space, demonstrates the added value of collective action rather than parallel efforts, and provides a public forum in which remembrance, education, and civic engagement reinforce one another.
By bringing together institutional practice, policy frameworks, and cultural interventions, the paper argues that solidarity in remembrance is not a rhetorical ideal but an operational reality. The case yields transferable lessons and good practices for scholars, educators, and policymakers concerned with defending historical truth, strengthening democratic resilience, and fostering European cohesion.